Barry Alan Saunders

Barry was born in Virginia and raised in Kingston, TN from a young age. He graduated from Roane County High School (1966) and graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College(1970), where he was involved with Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. After graduation, he taught at Coral Gables High School in Tavernier, FL, and was the wrestling coach. In 1975, Barry returned to Tennessee to attend the University of Tennessee obtaining his Master’s degree. He began teaching at Oak Ridge High School and became an Assistant Football “Coach.” This became his true home where he dedicated his life to mentoring young people to not only be successful in the classroom or football field, but successful in life.

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, God placed a call on Barry’s life to be in the glorious presence of Jesus, where he would be free of suffering and pain, completely healed and full of JOY. He is in reunion with his wife, Susan, his nephew, Bryan and other family and friends.

Barry’s dedication to the young people that he taught and coached was his gift and plan from God. This love was an unstated mission in life. He exemplified the love and heart of Christ. He was also a lover of cats, known for giving one a home if you just dropped it at his door.

Throughout Barry’s life he had a significant impact on countless others, whether it was in his role as a teacher, or coaching football, volunteering at his church, multiple community volunteer opportunities and or just being generally a nice guy. Barry had been consistently described as a person who was always willing to go above and beyond to help a student that needed extra help, a player that required a little life guidance away from the field or provide wisdom for someone’s future life direction. His students and players were indeed his “children.” A true servant who wanted to help any of them, anytime. 

When the news was shared regarding “Coach’s” passing, numerous posts, calls, texts and emails have been received containing testimonies and stories attesting to Barry’s heart and kindness. After his love for God, and Susan, he loved Oak Ridge football, U.T. football, and the Miami Dolphins football. He was one of the longest serving Assistant Coaches in Oak Ridge history with a plethora of football history. 

We are all just walking each other Home, and Barry got there before us. Those who remain on this walk toward Jesus, are his sister and husband Marcia and Jim (Fox) Foxworthy, his niece and family, Caitlin and Matt Preskitt, great nephews, Turner, Calvert & Evans Preskitt, and his stepdaughter and family, Alicia, John, Connell and Elizabeth Byrne.

The Celebration of Barry’s life is Saturday, February 1st, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Oak Ridge High School Auditorium. In honor of “Coach”, the family requests that you wear your favorite Oak Ridge, U.T. or Miami Dolphins shirt or jacket.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in “honor/memory of Barry Saunders AKA Coach” to: 

Checks or Money Orders:

Oak Ridge Schools

C/O Business Office

In Honor of Barry A. Saunders

304 New York Avenue

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

(These donations will be utilized to honor Barry and his legacy to ORHS.)

Shelter Animals Rescue Group, Inc. (SARG)

Info@shelteranimalsrescue.org

124 Newell Ln

Oak Ridge, TN 37830